Joist brace



detached;

Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

1,609,184 o1=1=1c1:.V

l HERMAN SPIRIINI'GOB,- 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

JOIST BRACE.

Anplieanon mea May 19,

My invention consists of an improvement in joist braces, for braclng adJacent wooden joists, beams, etc., in building construction.'

The device is made ,of a sheet metal blank, preferably a thin strip of steel, having end portions provided with plerclng or drlving prongs, constru-cted and ,adapted to operate in the manner hereinafter described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank before bending;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View showing two joists with the brace applied;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the brace Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line IV, IV, of Fig. 3*; l

Fig. 5 1s a detail edge vlew showmg a modified construction.

j Referring to Fig. 1 the blank from whlch the brace is made lconsists of a longitudinal strip 2 of thin steel of suitable strength and dimensions,` preferably having an upwardly bowed or arched mlddle portion 3, 'for strength.

At each end the strip is cut out central- -ly as at 4 back to the line lw, rw, providing the inwardly tapering points 5 at each side of the middle space. The inner edges of the tongues thus formed extend backwardlyY in parallelism as at 6 and the end portions of the blank are preferably fiat inwardly beyond the points for bending as shown.

At` one end the blank is preferably out out` as at 7, somewhat weakening the metal in cross section, to facilitate bending.

As thus madevthe lower or bottom attaching end is bent at substantially right angles on the line w, w, providing' a rear driving shoulder 8 by which the points 5 may be driven into-the lower face of the joist A as at 9 clear up to the annular bend.

Shoulder 8 extends for a short distance upwardly, and the blank is bent obtusely on the line and then extends straight up to the other end where it is bent downwardly obtusely on the line y, y, across the weakening opening 7, The blank then extends for a short distance providing the fiat straight portion 10 for ashort distance to the. line z, s, where it is again bent down- Wardly on said line at right angles as shown, with the points 11 at-rig'ht angles to the similar points 5.

' The bending of the points at each endv facilitated by extending the space 4 and `points 5 12 clear in to the bending and z, a, respectively.v

As thus made the upper end is laid lover the top of the joistB and the points 11 are driven in by hammering on the short fiat portion 10 until clear down in holding contact.

The lower free end, which is somewhat;

cross lines w, lw,

.resilient is thenbrought to position against the adjacent face of the joist A and its are driven in by striking shoulder 84 until `firmly inserted as shown.

If desired the shoulder 8 may be rounded as at 8a providing a hammering abutment,

but in either case, the points are directly applied by the power of hammer blows from the rear and directly in line with the securlng tongues. y

Another manner of application is to leave the upper end of the blank straight without bending on the line 'l y, as in Fig. 2, but with the securing points l1 bent at right angles on the line a, z. In such case the points 5 are first drive in to the joist A with the upper end resting Y.

across the corner of joist B as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. -The securing terminal is then hammered down byl striking surface 10, thus driving the points 11 into the top vof the joist, and firmly securing-the brace in position. f

It willbe understood that the braces are to be applied in the general way of diagonal wooden braces as to arrangement, preferably crossing each other diagonally between adjacent joists, and with successive application between all the joists of a series.

The device is made from an original strip of suitable length and may be continuously flat, if desired, but is preferably bowed or corrugated for stiffness and rigidity. It is extremely simple and economical to manufaeture, easily applied, and is very eiiicient in service. A

The design or detail formation may -be chan ed or varied by the skilled mechanic, but a'gll such changes are to be understood as within the principle of the What I claim is:y v

1. A joist brace consisting of a metal strip provided with terminal driving points and a reversely bent driving shoulder at one end and a right ano'led bent pointed terminal at the other en v 2. A joist brace consisting of a metal strip provided at each end with terminal invention.

' wardl of one of said right angle bends to l provi e a driving shoulder.

4. A jost bruce formed of a thin metal io'epee strip flat at each end transversely bowed between the ends1 each of said ends having 15,

a pair of inwar y sloping points with an intervening rectangular clearance space, each pair of points being in opposite directions on the line of the inner edge of said clearance space, the blank being re- 20 versel bent adjacent one of said bends where y to provide a driving shoulder.

In testimony whereof I hereuntoaiix my signature. l

4umu/IAN SPRINGOB. 

